Year 2 and 4 students at Carlingford West Public School are the newest recruits to the Waterwatch team run by the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust. They will monitor water quality in nearby Hunts Creek.

Dr Stephen Lees, Executive Officer from the Trust, presented students with their own Waterwatch kit at a school assembly on Monday, 23 May 2005.

In a first for the Waterwatch program, every teacher at the school was trained to run the program at a Staff Development Day at the commencement of Term Two.

The program is part of a whole of school approach to environmental education. This includes Earthcare studies for Year 1 students, a No Waste lunch day at which students are encouraged to bring lunches with the least wrappers and a Bush Tucker Garden. The Garden won the Education Category in the 2004 Regional Environment Awards sponsored by the Trust.

ESL teacher Gizelle Kazzi is one of the teachers helping to coordinate the program and is excited about the introduction of Waterwatch. She hopes that the new knowledge gained by teachers and students will affect long-term environmental change.

"Carlingford is keen to raise environmental awareness amongst the school community. Waterwatch activities will help the children to understand in a fun and interesting way how they are part of a bigger picture."

Dr Stephen Lees added:

"It is important for students to learn more about their waterways and how water quality in the Catchment affects waterways downstream. The Trust is a keen supporter of the Waterwatch program, which plays a vital role in educating the younger generation."

For more information please contact the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust on 9891 4633 or visit the website www.uprct.nsw.gov.au.